British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside French warplanes in a combined operation targeting an subterranean weapons facility in Syria employed by the IS group, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The site, pinpointed through surveillance, was thought to be storing arms and explosives, the announcement noted, and was located in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"The RAF jets utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several approach shafts leading to the facility... early reports suggest the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - alternatively referred to as ISIS - established jihadist rule over significant areas in Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This action shows British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have carried out surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of the group after its defeat at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I must thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their skill and their courage," the Defence Secretary commented. "They were part of a great many UK service members deployed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, demonstrates how UK forces are ready to step up, throughout the year, protecting the UK domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it described as a "massive strike" on IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an assault claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in both countries.
